Kansas and Arizona Seek Order on Voter Citizenship Laws

A federal appeals court will hear oral arguments in September in an appeal that could affect the voting rights of thousands of voters in Kansas, Georgia and Alabama in upcoming elections.

Kansas and Arizona are asking a court to force a federal agency to quickly modify voter registration forms so the states can fully enforce proof-of-citizenship laws for all new voters.

The two states filed a request Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Kansas for a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit they filed against the federal Election Assistance Commission and its top staff member. They asked for a hearing by or shortly after Nov. 12.

The states want to force the commission to modify the national mail-in voter registration form to include specific proof-of-citizenship instructions for residents of Kansas and Arizona.

Officials of the states argued that they’re being forced to create separate registration systems for federal and other elections.

The U.S. Justice Department is representing the commission and didn’t immediately comment.